Football playoffs
Washington quarterfinals
4A: Gonzaga Prep (10-1)
vs. Chiawana (10-1)
Saturday, Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco, 1 p.m.
At a glance: For a third straight year the Bullpups and RiverHawks meet in the postseason. G-Prep prevailed two years ago and Chiawana thumped the Bullpups 42-14 last year on the road to a state championship. It’s no secret what the Bullpups must do to beat Chiawana: stop running back Austin Urlacher, who has rushed for 2,207 yards and 30 touchdowns. “He’s a tough, tough, tough runner and the six dudes up front block exceptionally well,” G-Prep coach Dave McKenna said. RB Jack Bamis (1,381) has led G-Prep. Chiawana shut out Lewis and Clark 24-0 in a play-in game. “Nobody is giving us a chance. We’re the underdogs,” McKenna said. “Our kids believe and they trust one another. I’m excited for this opportunity.” Chiawana’s lone loss was a season-opening setback (16-14) at Camas in a rematch of last year’s state final. Last week, Bellarmine Prep eliminated Camas 20-13. G-Prep shut out BP 17-0 early this season. “We’ve got a chance,” McKenna said.
3A : Shadle Park (8-3)
vs. Mt. Spokane (9-2)
Saturday, Albi Stadium, 1 p.m.;
TV: SWX
At a glance: Everybody loves rematches, especially the team on the losing end of the first game. In a regular-season finale to decide the GSL’s 3A title, Mt. Spokane shut out Shadle in the second half of a 28-21 decision. The Highlanders want to reach the semifinals for a second straight year. “At the end of the day it comes down to execution, and they executed better than us (the first time),” Shadle QB Brett Rypien said. “I think it’s going to be a dogfight.” The Wildcats also are looking forward to getting a shot at the semifinals. “They wanted a shot at us and they did what they needed to do to get it,” Mt. Spokane coach Terry Cloer said. “Both teams are playing well. We just need to continue doing what we’re doing. This group stays even keeled. They don’t get too up and they don’t get too down. (Former head coach Mike) McLaughlin always talked to them about that and we’re a reflection of that still. They’re not going to get lost in the moment.”
1A: Colville (10-0)
vs. Royal (10-1)
Saturday, Lions Field, Moses Lake, 1 p.m.
At a glance: This shapes up as an entertaining showdown. The Indians got out to a 46-0 lead by halftime last week against La Salle while a balanced ground and air attack allowed the Knights to pull away from Lakeside in the second half. They’re averaging about 41 points per game each while Colville has allowed just 8.9 per game, best in the state. That’s where the Indians must assert their will to continue in the playoffs. Their ball-control offense has the ability to keep Royal off the field.
2B: Lind-Ritzville/Sprague (11-0) vs. Waitsburg-Prescott (8-3)
Friday, Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco, 7 p.m.
At a glance: This isn’t new territory for either team, and it’s even more familiar to the Broncos. For the Broncos to advance, they must continue to sustain drives behind Cort Ruzicka, Jacob Saetre and Hugh Hennings, who is expected back after missing last week with a concussion. There’s a bigger reason why the Broncos are where they are – defense. This herd of Broncos is tied to the back-to-back state title teams, but they want to make their own way.
2B: Davenport (9-2)
vs. Okanogan (10-1)
Friday, Lions Field, Moses Lake, 7 p.m.
At a glance: The Gorillas are big underdogs. Okanogan handled Reardan 26-0 last week. Davenport must play its best game of the year. RB Tom Wilkie led the way last week in Davenport’s romp over White Swan, gaining 229 yards and scoring four TDs. But yards will be more difficult to gain against Okanogan’s stout defense.
1B: Cusick (10-1)
vs. Republic (10-1)
Friday, Gonzaga Prep, 6 p.m.
At a glance: Cusick and Republic are three weeks removed from the game Republic captured 33-30. Republic QB Aaron Fritz threw three TDs and Angelo and Alex Rivera combined for four TDs. Cusick must do a better job of slowing down Republic’s offense. The Panthers knocked off a good Touchet team 34-28 last week, so to them this is a bonus.
1B: Garfield-Palouse (8-2) vs. Liberty Christian (10-0)
Saturday, Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco, 4 p.m.
At a glance: The Patriots have run over all comers, including a 64-18 thumping of the Vikings in early October. So this sets up as a difficult task against the state’s No. 1-ranked team. Garfield-Palouse came from behind to knock off host Odessa-Harrington 40-28 last week. Hunter Woltering led the Vikings with three rushing TDs. The fewest points scored by the Patriots has been 42.